Chapter Fifteen: Questions and Answers
Anar was already shining full upon the sands of Ma'yi by the time most of the people had gathered on the beach in front of Sinag-Tala's home. Telpeär watched as they clustered in front of the wooden house, and he could clearly see the concern written on their faces. Perhaps rumor had already begun to spread that Sinag-Tala would be leaving them, and they wanted to know why she had even considered doing so during such a crucial time.
Sinag-Tala was standing in a space just in front of her house, her left hand grasping her spear. A slim leather band held her hair back from her face, from the ends of which dangled small pearls and feathers. Bangles of gold and coral were wrapped around her wrists, and a ring of white coral hung from a leather thong around her throat. Golden bangles also gleamed from her ankles, but it was the tattoo that ran the length of her thigh, from her knee to the bottom of her hip, that arrested his attention.
None of the Quendi in Aman had such markings upon them. In fact, the concept of tattooing was unheard amongst those who had lived in Aman their entire life. The only reason why Telpeär was familiar with it at all was because his father had often spoken of tattooed warriors from the south of Arda, who were amongst those who had gone to war against Gondor in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
Yet the tattoos of these people were strangely beautiful, works of art etched with pain and blood into the living canvas of human flesh. Most were geometrical designs that were supposed to imitate images in nature, or abstract designs that certainly meant something to them, but Telpeär did not have the courage to ask what they meant. For all he knew, they meant something that was not to be revealed – or did not mean anything at all.
Movement caught his eye, and he looked up in time to watch as Sinag-Tala raised her right hand just above her head, calling for attention and for silence. The gathered crowd slowly turned to her, and all hushed their voices to hear her speak.
"My people, I thank you for gathering here, in spite of the duties that call to you." Sinag-Tala's voice was well modulated and clear, obviously the voice of one who was used to issuing commands and being in control. Yet there was a resonance, an underlying current in her voice that told Telpeär something more.
Sinag-Tala lowered her hand, and continued to speak: "Some of you may have sensed it, and some of you may have heard rumor of it. Regardless of how you have come across the knowledge, you all know that war and evil threaten our peaceful nation."
Her gaze trailed towards the western side of Ma'yi, and her voice became edged with worry. "A storm of violence and blood brews on our western border, and the tension pulls at us, tugs at us. It looms closer upon us every day that passes, and we do not know when the tension shall break and the lightning strike us.
"I do not wish that such uncertainty should hang upon your heads. You must be free to do the things you normally do, to live your lives as you would." She then fixed her gaze upon a small group of children who were standing up front. A small, sad smile graced her lips as she looked upon them. "I wish that the children would continue to play upon our shores and swim in our seas with no fear of what may come.
"And it is because of this that I take my leave of you, my people, that I may go out into the world and seek the knowledge that will tell us whether we may rest easy, or," here she hefted her spear up slightly, "take up arms and fight."
A storm of whispers and murmurs broke over the crowd. Telpeär could not make out what was being said, but he sensed that many were not pleased with Sinag-Tala leaving them, especially since her guidance would be crucial during the coming years, should the war that they feared indeed find its way to their shores.
Once more Sinag-Tala lifted her hand, calling for silence. When the crowd had quieted down, she began again: "I know what you are thinking: you think me cruel and heartless, to leave you when you need guidance the most. But I am not as cruel and heartless as you would think, for I appoint Hiraya and Talim to lead you in my place."
Sinag-Tala gestured then, and the two aforementioned warriors stepped forward. Talim had a resigned expression on her face, but Hiraya did not seem as accepting as his companion. The warrior constantly glanced at Sinag-Tala, and Telpeär read the concern in his eyes.
Sinag-Tala stepped back a little, so that the attention of those gathered would be focused on her two regents. "I have known Talim and Hiraya since my childhood, and I trust them even with my life. You have known them, some longer than I have, and you know that they are honorable and wise, and will rule well in my stead." She paused, her eyes sweeping the crowd. "If there is anyone here who wishes to disagree, then please, step forward and speak."
There were murmurs again, but more hushed now. Sinag-Tala waited, but none stepped forward. She smiled to herself, and bowed her head. "So it is agreed. Now I bid you all a farewell, and pray that the gods look kindly upon you all." With that, she turned her back on the crowd, and walked into the house.
Telpeär watched as the crowd dispersed, everyone going back to their usual tasks. But, unlike a few moments ago, they all seemed perturbed, and a dark veil hung over them as dark thoughts wandered their minds.
He walked towards the house, entering the warm darkness within. Because these structures were built with no windows, the only light that came in was through the door, or from the many small oil lamps that they lit inside.
He found Sinag-Tala sitting on a reed mat behind one of the posts that held the structure up. She was staring into the darkness, her eyes unfocused, unseeing. Her hands rested in her lap, palms facing upward.
There was an air of calmness, of peace, around her at that moment that Telpeär found quite soothing, even to his own spirit. He settled down beside her slowly, so as not to disturb her, but with enough noise to indicate that he was nearby. When she made no move to leave or to send him away, he relaxed, and lost himself in his own thoughts.
He closed his eyes, remembering Alqualondë and the harbors and quays that were the center of life there. He remembered, too, the way the sea smelled, and the way the water felt against his legs and feet when he walked down the coastline. He remembered the glimmer of pearls and the sea foam during the nights when Isil rose full and bright in the sky, and the songs that were sung to welcome Varda's stars into the expanse of the night.
And then he compared it to how it was like here in Ma'yi. The sea smelled different, and even the water felt different too. The sand of the coastline was like powder and was dazzling in its whiteness, though no pearls were to be found strewn amongst the grains. The people here sang different songs, and in a different tongue, but they honored still the moon and the stars, and though their voices were not as beautiful as those of the Teleri, Telpeär still found them fair, for he could still somehow hear the voice of the sea reflected in them.
The people of Ma'yi, he realized, lived with the throb and beat of life as it drummed a rhythm through the passing of years. The sea and the forest each had a different heartbeat, but they moved to both, learning to find a balance between the two and living their lives according to that beat. They heard Arda's secret melodies, and respected and revered them.
He sensed a shift beside him, and he opened his eyes, turning to Sinag-Tala as he did so. She was no longer staring straight ahead; rather, her head was bowed, her hair flowing against the side of her face to make an almost impenetrable curtain. "Sinag-Tala?"
She raised her head, and looked up at him, and her eyes seemed nearly unfocused, distant, but then they cleared, and she saw him. She smiled at him. "Forgive me for not greeting you when you sat beside me. It seems I have kept you waiting. Was there something you wished to speak with me about?"
Telpeär shook his head, returning the smile. "There was nothing, Sinag-Tala. I merely wished to keep you company."
She nodded. "Ah." She stood up then, and Telpeär noticed that her hands were wet, water dripping from them as if she had dipped them into a stream or the sea or a basin of water. He nodded at her hands. "Why are they wet? Have you been weeping?"
Sinag-Tala blinked, not comprehending, and then understanding dawned on her, and she laughed softly. "No, no, I was not weeping." She lifted her hand, and touched his arm with it. Telpeär felt a tingling sensation, followed by something cool and soothing, flow through his arm and into the rest of him.
Sinag-Tala drew her hand away, letting it dangle against her side. "It happens to me, at times, when I find myself lost in thought. Since I am a Water mage, there are times when my power summons itself to my hands without my knowing it, especially when I am deep in thought."
"Is that not a dangerous thing?" Telpeär asked.
"No, it is not. Had I not received any proper training, then perhaps it would have been dangerous, but I have been taught how to control most of my powers, so I do not pose a threat to anyone." She smiled ruefully then. "But I was born with gifts greater than most, and so there are times when I lose some of that control, and this is what happens." She lifted her damp hand for emphasis. "While it is not in any way dangerous to anyone or to myself, I get annoyed at myself because of my lack of control."
Telpeär frowned. "So you mean to say that your powers are also potentially dangerous? You did not mention this last night when you spoke of them."
Sinag-Tala shrugged. "I did not think it was necessary for you to know. But since you seem curious, and you have asked about it, then I shall explain as I prepare my things for our journey tomorrow."
Telpeär acquiesced to her suggestion, and followed her as she gathered supplies and other essentials for the journey she was to make with them on the morrow. She told him that mages might have been born with their magical powers, but they were nor born with the control necessary to rein them in. That control, she said, was learned, and complete mastery did not come without discipline and hard work.
When he asked what were the consequences should this control not be learned, she paused in the middle of picking up a small jar and placing it in the leather bag she would use for the journey. She slowly lifted her eyes to look at him, and replied: "There is no worse way to die, than to be torn apart by something within you that you cannot control."
Telpeär sucked in a breath. He could imagine how it would be like to die in such a way, but he refused to let the image stand before his mind's eye for any longer than a heartbeat. It was not something he wished to think about.
"Have any died?"
Sinag-Tala's gaze lowered slightly. "There have been a few who have, amongst my people, but it is rare. I do not know how it is in the other countries, but I am sure that they have had deaths as well."
"Have you been witness to one?"
"No. And I thank the gods that I have not witnessed it happening, because I would not want to be there when such a horrible thing happens. There are better ways to die than that."
Telpeär nodded, glad that he had gotten answers to most of his questions. There were still a few that needed answers, but he did not want them right then. They could wait.
Sinag-Tala seemed to agree with that sentiment, though he did not voice it out, because she immediately focused on getting her supplies together. To keep his mind off of it, he questioned Sinag-Tala about the things she was bringing with her – in particular, the herbs and salves she was placing into her pack.
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"And what are these?"
"These are plantain leaves. They come from trees that grow abundantly in the jungle. Most of the time we pick the fruits for food, but we use the leaves as a poultice, which we apply on wounds, sores, stings, and animal bites. In the jungle it is always a wise idea to pick some plantain leaves when one has the chance, in case one gets bitten or is wounded."
Ereinion watched Sinag-Tala and Telpeär from his place just outside his room, as Sinag-Tala gathered supplies for the journey they were going to make through the jungle, and Telpeär asked her questions.
I must give her credit for her patience, Ereinion thought in amusement. Telpeär was as curious as an Elfling, though he could not be considered one anymore – at least, not in Aman. But Telpeär had never been out of Aman, and so Arda was something completely different from what he was used to.
Then again, he mused, the things he was seeing were very different from what he was used to in the north of Arda.
They must have seen him, standing at the edge of the shadow and the light, because they started coming towards him. He smiled as they approached. "Forgive me for listening in, but your conversation was very interesting."
Telpeär nodded, grinning. "Herblore has always fascinated me, but most of my education has been maritime in nature, and so I have little time to study anything else, though the subject may intrigue me."
Sinag-Tala laughed, and bowed to Telpeär. "It is always a pleasure to teach one who is eager to learn."
"You are a good teacher," Telpeär responded, bowing to her as well.
"And you must have a patience that could stretch to the bottom of the sea," Ereinion added, smiling now, ready to break out into laughter.
Sinag-Tala laughed, carefully adjusting her hold on the satchel she carried in her arms. "It was not a virtue that came naturally to me, but now I must admit that it has served me well during many times in the past." She looked up at him curiously. "Was there something you wished to talk about?"
"Nothing that is of utmost importance, although I do have a question in mind – as do the others." Ereinion looked up at Telpeär. "And you must come with us, for it concerns you, as well."
Sinag-Tala nodded thoughtfully. "I see." She paused, as if thinking, and then added, slowly, as if hesitating to speak if it: "I know of a place where we may discuss this."
Ereinion smiled his thanks. "We are very grateful, Sinag-Tala." He glanced at Telpeär, who, guessing his request, nodded, and went off in another direction to find Maedhros, Ecthelion, and Glorfindel.
He and Sinag-Tala stood in silence, watching as Telpeär disappeared around a corner outside the house. At length, he asked, "Are you certain that you wish to come with us?"
"I have made my decision," Sinag-Tala said softly. "I must go out and seek knowledge for the safety of my people. I cannot simply allow myself to stand by, when I know that there is something I can do for them by going out and seeking what we should know. That is my duty, and I have always followed my duty."
Ereinion half-smiled, feeling as if he was listening to an echo of his old self. "Life is not always about duty, Sinag-Tala. There is more to it than that." He turned to her, tilting his head curiously. "Surely you must have a lover. Women of your age are rarely ever unwed for long."
Sinag-Tala blushed slightly, but her face did not move, and she did not look at him. "My duty is my life, Ereinion," she said quietly. "I have nothing to think of outside of it. I have no more family, and my friends have their own lives to lead. The only time I find solace is when I swim with the dolphins. They are the only ones who do not ask much of me.
"And as for a lover, I have none. Many have asked for my hand in marriage, but I have refused them all, on the grounds that I know nothing about them, and they know nothing about me. My father married my mother because he loved her, and she loved him, and for no other reason. I intend to do the same."
Ereinion knew that she was lying when she said that she had no lover. He had sensed that Hiraya held feelings for her, and that Sinag-Tala felt the same, but what he did not understand was what was keeping them apart. He had suspected that it was because Sinag-Tala was so dedicated to her duty, and in a way, his suspicions were correct.
At the same time, he felt that there was something else at work here, something that he did not quite see or grasp at the moment, and it was the answer to this question: why was it that every time he thought of Sinag-Tala and Hiraya together, he could feel the noose of envy tighten its hold around his heart?
Just then, Telpeär reentered the house, followed by Maedhros, Glorfindel, and Ecthelion, and his thoughts were redirected to more important matters.
It seemed that Sinag-Tala was of like mind, because she straightened up, and looked at the others with a serious expression on her face. "Come."
They followed her out of the house through the back way, following a path that wended its way into the depths of the jungle. They walked amongst the trees for a while, until Sinag-Tala made a sharp turn that seemed to lead back to the beach.
But the path did not take them back to the beach, as Ereinion had expected. Instead, it led them to a small clearing through which ran a trilling stream. Save for the sound of the water and the wind through the trees, there was nothing else to be heard.
Sinag-Tala walked to what Ereinion had assumed was a rock, but turned out to be roughly hewn chair, and sat down on it. "This is a sacred meeting place, secured and warded with magic so old and powerful that none have been able to understand their weaving or their breaking," she explained, indicating other rocks similar to the one she was sitting in. "Save for the trees, the water, the sunlight, and the wind, there is nothing and no one here who will overhear our conversation. So you may speak as freely as you wish, and have no fear of anyone else hearing it."
Ereinion nodded gratefully, as he and the others took their seats in the chairs. "We wished to speak with you of our journey."
Sinag-Tala tilted her head inquiringly. "Yes? What of it?"
"We wished to know where you would take us," Maedhros replied. He smiled slightly. "We do not mean to act so suspicious, but you must understand that this land is foreign to us, and we would appreciate it if you explained what we were going to do, instead of us merely following you blindly."
Sinag-Tala smiled, and as she leaned back into the seat of stone Ereinion caught a glimpse of her as her duty had made her: a leader of Men, and – after the way of her people – a servant of the Valar. "You are wise indeed, to ask me such things. Do not worry; I do not hold it against you as a sign of suspicion. I would have been more suspicious had you not asked me that.
"What I intend to do is to lead you through the jungle and into the land of Rûmenyen that lies between our jungle and the shores of the Shin Chin Lake. One of my friends lives there. Though he now lives the life of a hermit, I know for a fact that he has a very high position in the Imperial Court. He would be able to help us gather information.
"After I bring you to him, our paths may take different directions. If you so choose, you may journey to Rûmenyen and try to seek the one whom you call Maglor there, or you may accompany me to Khemet and eventually to Yaminah, and I will help you look for Anna Nefertari. But you need not make your decision now; you may decide what do once we are near the border of the jungle."
Glorfindel spoke up then. "Why do we not just take the seaward route to Yaminah? I have seen that your people are mariners. Why not send us to the port of Yaminah itself?"
"And risk you getting captured by Umbar pirates? No, I do not think that wise." Sinag-Tala frowned. "Fishermen who venture close to the waters surrounding Yaminah report that more and more of the Umbarians' black ships could be seen floating nearby. They were always careful to stay out of sight, though one time three of the boats that were on a fishing trip together were nearly caught. It was only through the blessing of Amang Langit and the protection of Inang Dag'at that they were able to get away safely.
"I understand your need for haste, but attempting this venture too quickly may only lead to failure. Everyone must be cautious – even you who are only out to find two people. One misstep could mean that your missions end in failure."
Ereinion nodded solemnly. "We understand, Sinag-Tala."
The woman nodded in acknowledgement, before she continued, "In any case, what you must worry about at the moment is your journey through the jungle. While I may be there to guide you, it is still quite inhospitable to those who are not used to it. You must always keep watch, and be alert. There are dangers here that you of the North may have never even dreamed of."
"And what are those dangers?" Ecthelion asked, his voice low.
"Poisonous plants, venomous snakes, insects, feral hounds, and carnivorous cats, to name but a few. Some of these dangers I can warn you of early. It is not difficult to spot a jaguar prowling for a meal, though it may get more difficult at night. But the others…I may not warn you in time for you to avoid the bite of a viper or a spider, so it would be wise of you to keep your eyes open, and not to touch anything unless I say that you may.
"Bear this in mind: nothing is ever as it seems in the jungle. What may seem harmless to you, may very well be deadlier than anything you have ever encountered before."
Ereinion nodded solemnly. He understood the fact that, in spite of the fact that this was a beautiful place, it had its own dangers, as well. It seemed that Sinag-Tala was very knowledgeable of these dangers, and so she was the perfect guide for their journey through.
Sinag-Tala returned his nod. "That is all I can tell you. Is there anything else you wish to ask?"
"Yes," Telpeär replied. "Who is this friend we are going to visit?"
"His name is Magtìr Teididh. He is a fine warrior, one of the most respected in Rûmenyen. He was born and bred there, and though he lives now as a hermit, distancing himself from the affairs of that nation, his knowledge of the people there is still quite considerable. If you wish to find someone in that country, he is the one to ask."
"Then it is settled," Ereinion said quietly. He smiled at Sinag-Tala. "We are very grateful for the aid you are about to provide us, Sinag-Tala."
The young woman smiled, and bowed her head slightly. "You are welcome, Ereinion." Her smile wavered slightly. "It was what my father would have done."
"Well then," Glorfindel said cheerily, cutting into the silence that had settled in, "now that all our questions have been answered, shall we return to the house? We must prepare for our journey on the morrow."
Ereinion was glad that Glorfindel had chosen that moment to distract Sinag-Tala, because he did not like seeing the mortal so sad.
He shook his head discreetly then, and wondered what was wrong with him. Perhaps it is just that we are so similar, he thought, and latched onto that idea.
Yes, it was just that, he was certain of it.
It had to be.